Mellitus comes from a Latin word – Mellis meaning honey.

So if someone says Diabetes mellitus is Greek and Latin to me --- it is literally true!

But lets give it a try --- lets try to know some basic things related to this condition – Diabetes Mellitus (DM) for the sake of our own good health and that of our near and dear ones.

DM is a group of disorders that have in common – hyperglycemia or high plasma glucose. Depending on the type and cause of DM, it results either from the reduced or absent insulin in the body (insulin being the hormone that helps the body cells to take up sugar for energy )or the body’s resistance to insulin. Hence the sugar is not taken up by the cells resulting in hyperglycemia. Although certain medicines like steroids are implicated in causing DM, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are common and certain genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the causation of DM.

Thus if you have any of the following risk factors, it is important to keep a watch for DM:

Race/ethnicity – India heads the list of top ten countries, Asians, Africans; Native Americans are at higher risk.

Family History of DM: if parents or siblings have DM, the risk increases by 40% if both parents have DM

Sedentary Life Style or habitual lack of physical activity

Obesity – BMI of more than / equal to 25. BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by height in meter squared.

Hypertension

Diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy – gestational diabetes or baby weight of more than 4 kilos on delivery.

These are few risk factors – other factors such as an abnormal lipid profile, certain diseases etc would be considered by your treating physician.

Even if you do not have any of the above, these facts would prompt you to read on :

DM is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide.

The number of people diagnosed to have DM is increasing leaps and bounds – from 30 million in 1985 to 177 millions in 2000 and an estimated nearly three fold rise – 360 millions in 2030.

DM increases with age – the greatest number being in the age group of 45 – 65.

It adversely affects almost every important organ – the heart leading to silent or symptomless heart attacks, the kidney – leading to end stage renal damage, the eye leading to blindness and the nerves leading to loss of sensations over the foot, numbness tingling and pain due to neuropathy.

Moreover, more than 50% of people become aware of their disease only when they land up in the emergency with a stroke or a heart attack or sudden blindness – and its scary for them as well as the family – the damage is done, resulting in tremendous emotional and financial stress.

Hence, screening is recommended – for those at high risk, for those with symptoms or complications and in general after the age of 45, every three years.

Measuring the fasting plasma glucose is a simple test screening for diabetes - this is done in the laboratories and is not the same as the finger prick home monitoring. Fasting also does not mean having half a cup of tea or coffee after a whole night of fasting it means no calories for atleast eight hours. The level of glucose more than-equal to 126mg/dl or 7 mmol/L needs further attention and evaluation.

Studies have proved that early identification of the risk factors, screening and early intervention prevents complications of the disease. Apart from the risk factors, certain signs and symptoms should prompt medical attention – excessive thirst, excessive hunger, sudden weight gain/loss, excessive urination, excessive itching of the vulva, recurrent boils, recurrent urine infections and at times non healing ulcers.

Going through the list of risk factors again, one would realize life style modification can go a long way in delaying or preventing the disease – better weight control – better control of blood pressure and an active stress free life. One can try Meditation, outdoor sports, swimming – no end to the exhaustive list.

Even if there is a single thing that you would like to change in your life style, do it NOW.

A word of caution – DM is now not the disease of the elderly – incidence of the disease is on a rise even in children. About 35 children are diagnosed daily making the incidence 10-12% in America.

Take care – if you notice any of the symptoms like excessive thirst, hunger, weight loss, fatigue or bedwetting, especially if previously ‘dry’ at night consult the doctor.

Encourage physical activity – atleast half an hour of moderate activity, healthy diet and most of all help your children develop a positive attitude that alleviates stress.

And if you are hail – n - hearty – you can help create awareness about the disease.

Dr. Vijayshree Prakash - The health care specialist based in Dubai